8 alpha-methyl-substituted-steroids

ABSTRACT

8 ALPHA-METHYL-SUBSTITUTED STEROIDS, E.G., 3-METHOXY8 ALPHA-METHYLESTRA-1,3,5(10)-TRIEN-17B-OL. ARE USEFUL AS PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS, AND ARE OBTAINABLE FROM 7,7-DIHALO-CYCLO (6A,7AA)-B-HOMOGONA-1,3,5(10)-TRIENES.

United States Patent 3,709,878 8 ALPHA-METHYL-SUBSTITUTED-STEROIDS Eugene E. Galantay, Morristown, N.J., assignor to Sandal-Wander, Inc., Hanover, NJ. No Drawing. Filed July 20, 1970, Ser. No. 56,743 Int. Cl. C07c 173/10 US. Cl. 260-23955 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 8 alpha-methyl-substituted steroids, e.g., 3-meth0xy- 8 alpha-methylestra-1,3,5()trien-17;3-ol, are useful as pharmaceutical agents, and are obtainable from 7,7-dihalo-cyclo[6a,7au]-B-homogona-1,3,5(10)-trienes.

This invention relates to steroids, and more particularly to certain steroids having an 8 alpha-methyl substituent. This invention also relates to procedures for preparing such compounds, as well as to intermediates in the preparation thereof. This invention also relates to compositions containing such steroids and to the use thereof.

The final compounds of this invention may be conveniently represented by the formula wherein R is alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; Y is oxo or the function wherein R is a hydrogen atom or lower acyl; and

Q is a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower halo-alkynyl or propadienyl; and Ring A is a member of the group consisting of the A structures:

A1 A2 A3 wherein R is a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl or lower acyl; and R is oxo or the group wherein R is as defined above In the above presented definitions, it is understood that the term lower alkyl includes those alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; that the terms lower acyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkynyl include such groups having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and that with respect to such above-enumerated terms, isomeric forms are understood to be included where they exist with respect to configuration of carbon atoms as well as location of unsaturated positions; that the term lower halo-alkynyl includes such groups having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms and 3,709,878 Patented Jan. 9, 1973 ice ethynyl, trifiuoropropynyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and wherein R is as defined above and R is the same as R when it is lower alkyl.

It will be readily appreciated that Compounds Ia may serve as intermediates for the remaining Compounds I, by carrying out one or more conversions as necessary, said individual conversion steps being per se conventional and well known in the chemical art. For example, reduction of the 17-oxo group yields the 17-hydroxy-substituted analog which may be subjected to a Birch reduction to convert the aromatic Ring A (type A1) thereof to a 3-alkoxy-2,5(10) unsaturated ring, which upon treatment with aqueous acid undergoes cleavage-rearrangement to yield a corresponding compound having either an A2 or A3-type Ring A, depending upon the particular conditions employed, as is well known in the art.

Various of the hydrocarbon or halo-hydrocarbon radicals may be introduced as the substituent Q, by treating a Compound la with an appropriate organo-metallo reagent, e.g., a Grignard reagent, to obtain an intermediate alcoholate salt which upon hydrolysis yields the corresponding 17oc-Q, 17(3-OH compound. If desired, such compound may then be acylated by conventional techniques to obtain a Compound I wherein R is lower acyl.

A Compound I wherein R is alkyl may be subjected to ether cleavage conditions (acid hydrolysis) in the conventional manner, e.g., by heating the compound with lithium iodide or pyridine hydrochloride when Y is oxo at temperatures of from about to 200 C., preferably about 180 C. to obtain the 3-OH analog, which may then be acylated, if desired to obtain a Compound I wherein R is lower acyl. Conversely, a Compound I having a 3- hydroxy group may be etherified by conventional means to obtain a Compound I wherein R is lower alkyl.

Reduction of an oxo group at the 3- or 17-position may be achieved by conventional techniques, and oxidation of a OH a system may likewise be achieved by conventional techniques.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that certain of the above-described processes while directed at a particular site of the steroidal compound substrate, will also involve undesirable concomittant reactions at another site. For example, if a 17-keto-3-lower alkanoyloxy group-containing Compound I is treated with an organometallo reagent so as to obtain a Compound I which is Uri-hydroxy 17a-hydrocarbon-substituted, it will be appreciated that the 3-position will be effected by the reaction conditions, i.e., basic hydrolysis will occur causing conversion of the 3-alkanoyloxy to a 3-hydroxy group. Similarly, if a l7-keto group is present when a Birch reduction is carried out, then such group will be reduced to a hydroxy group. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that such potentially undesirable reactions should be taken into account when carrying out a particular procedure or reaction step. Compounds may be employed which have positions stable under the particular reaction conditions, for example, labile hydroxy groups may be protected or masked in the conventional manner, e.g., by employment as base-stable tetrahydrofuran-2-yl or tetrahydropyran-Z-yl groups which may be cleaved at a latter stage to yield hydroxy groups. Similarly, a keto group may be protected in the form of an ethylenedioxy group.

The above-mentioned conversions of Compounds Ia to other Compounds I, and interconversions between various Compounds I is described in further detail below.

Compounds I bearing a hydroxy group at any of positions 3- and 17- may be acylated to obtain those Compounds I wherein any of R and R is lower acyl. Such acylations may be efiected by processes known per se for the acylation of steroidal alcohols. With respect to compounds of Class I having two hydroxy groups, it will be noted that, a hydroxy group at the 3-position is phenolic and a hydroxy group at the Hrs-position is secondary or tertiary. As one skilled in the art will be aware, the ease of acylation is secondaryEphenolic tertiary and the ease of resaponification is clearly phenolie secondary tertiary. Accordingly, acylating agents and the stringency of acylating conditions can be chosen depending on the degree of acylation required employing conventional techniques. Suitable acylating agents for the 3-positions include acids, acyl halides and acid anhydrides of formulae acyl-OH, acyl-Hal and (acyl) O, respectively, wherein acyl is as defined above for R or R and Hal signifies bromine or chlorine, and mixtures thereof. Where the desired acyl moiety is acetyl, a preferred acylating agent is acetic anhydride. In carrying out the acylation, inert solvent may be employed or excess acylating agent may serve as solvent. An acid-binding agent, e.g., pyridine, is preferably used. Preferred temperatures vary between l and 50 C. For acylation of both positions, more stringent conditions may be used, characterized by the presence of a strongly acidic catalyst, e.g., p-toluenesulphonic acid, perchloric acid and the like. If such catalysts are used, in addition to the above-listed acylating agents, enol acylates, preferably esters of isopropenyl alcohol, e.g., isopropenyl acetate, may also be employed. The considerations involved are well within the scope of one skilled in the art.

Furthermore, the diester form of Compound I may be selectively saponified employing conventional means, e.g., by treatment with methanolic potassium bicarbonate, to obtain the corresponding 3-hydroxy-l7B-acyloxy-substituted Compound I. Hence, oneskilled in the art can use such knowledge to obtain the desired combination of free hydroxy and acylated positions.

Compounds I wherein Y is oxo may be obtained by oxidizing the analog thereof wherein each of R and Q are hydrogen atoms. The oxidation procedure may be carried out by conventional means for oxidizing a secondary hydroxy function to a carbonyl function, e.g., by use of chromium trioxide in pyridine or in acid such as acetic acid.

Conversely, when it is desired to convert a carbonyl containing Compound I to a hydroxy containing compound (at position 17, or at position 3- when A=A2 and R =oxo), then reduction can be carried out in a conventional manner for reducing a carbonyl function to a hydroxy function, e.g., using a hydride reagent, such as lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride, in an inert solvent such as diethyl ether, diglyme, a lower alkanol, e.g., ethanol, or methylene chloride at a low temperature, e.g., from 50 to +10 C.

The above-mentioned Birch reduction may be carried out by use of a light metal, e.g., lithium, sodium or potassium in liquid ammonia, in the presence of a proton donor, the ammonia serving conveniently as the reaction medium, the temperature and pressure being controlled so as to maintain the ammonia in liquid state. Preferably, the reaction is performed under atmospheric pressure at a temperature of from 70 to '30 C. and preferably at the reflux temperature of ammonia (under one atmosphere). Suitable proton donors include lower alkanols, e.g., t-butanol and ethanol. If desired, inert organic solvent may be included in the reaction mixture, e.g., an ether, such as tetrahydrofuran.

The above-mentioned cleavage-rearrangement of a suitable compound having a 3-alkoxy-2,5( 10) unsaturated A-Ring, to a compound wherein Ring A is of the A2-type, may be achieved by employment of vigorous conditions, i.e., the reaction may be conveniently carried out in a strongly acidic aqueous medium, i.e., at a pH value of less than 3 and preferably from 1 to 2. Alternatively, the process may be carried out under milder acidic conditions, for example, at a pH value of from 3 to 4, over a relatively prolonged period, for example, in excess of 3 hours.

Sulphuric acid, p-toluene sulfonic acid, hydrochloric acid or oxalic acid may conveniently be used to provide the strongly acidic conditions; and oxalic acid or acetic acid to provide the milder acidic conditions.

The process may be carried out at temperatures of from, for example, 0 to C. preferably from 20 to 70 C. The reaction is suitably carried out in an inert water-miscible organic solvent, preferably a lower alcohol such as methanol. Where an organic acid, suitable as a solvent under the reaction conditions is employed, the reaction is suitably carried out in an excess thereof.

A compound having an A3-type A-Ring can be obtained by treating a 3-alkoxy-2,5(l0)-unsaturated compound under the milder acidic conditions, described above.

A compound having a A3-type A-Ring may be converted to its analog having an AZ-type A-Ring by acidicrearrangement process, by employing the vigorous conditions described above, except that aqueous conditions are not essential, nor need the solvent be Water-miscible. Alternatively, it may be carried out in a basic medium, for example, employing aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxide, preferably at a concentration of from about 0.01 N to about 2 N. The basic rearrangement is suitably effected in an inert organic solvent such as dioxane, methanol or ethanol. The reaction may be performed at a temperature of, for example, 20 to C., preferably at the reflux temperature of the reaction medium. Suitable reaction times vary, for example, from about '%-hour to about 6 hours. It is preferred, however, that the solvent of the rearrangement process be water-miscible.

Compounds bearing the protected keto or hydroxy functions may be prepared in the conventional manner. For example, dihydrofuran or dihydropyran may be reacted with the hydroxy-substituted compound to be protected, in the presence of an acidic catalyst, such as p-toluene sulfonic acid or phosphorous oxychloride, water being excluded from the reaction, to obtain the tetrahydrofuran- 2-yloxy or tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy derivative respectively. Conversely, the protecting group may be removed as desired by conventional means, such as by the ethercleaving conditions described above, in connection with cleavage-rearrangement. Similarly, etherification of a 3-0}! function to a lower alkyl as described for R above, may be carried out by conventional means for the etherification of a phenolic hydroxy group, e.g., by heating e.g., at 60 to 100 C. in the presence of a suitable alkyl iodide under basic conditions in a suitable solvent, e.g., an alkanol (the alkyl portion of which is preferably the same as that of the alkyl iodide). The basic conditions may be provided by anhydrous potassium carbonate.

As mentioned above, those compounds wherein R is a hydrogen atom and Q is of the hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon type, may be prepared from Compounds Ia.

A general method for preparing such compounds is to react a suitable Compound Ia at the l7-carbonyl function thereof with a suitable organo-metallo reagent,

wherein Q has the same meaning as Q defined above except excluding a hydrogen atom or a propadienyl group, and A is an active metal or active metal-containing ion, to form an intermediate salt which is then hydrolyzed to obtain the corresponding compound wherein the l7-position bears ,3-hydroxy and Q substituents. A, may be for example, an alkali metal or a magnesium iodide or bromide.

The selection of the organo-metallo reagent is dependent on the specific type of Q substituent desired. The selection of a particular reagent and use thereof by wellknown methods is within the skill of persons skilled in the art.

For example, where the organic radical is alkyl or alkenyl, then A is preferably lithium or a magnesiumiodide or bromide moiety; where the organic radical is al'kynyl then A is preferably an alkali metal, such as lithium, sodium or potassium. Such reagents are either 'known and may be prepared by known means, that is, by means as described in the literature or where not known may be prepared in a manner analogous to that used to prepare known compounds. Many such organometallo reagents are commercially available.

The reaction of the Compound Ia and the organometallo reagent may be carried out in the conventional manner, e.g., at a temperature of from about 80 to +60 C. and preferably from about 50 to +30 C. in

anhydrous aprotic medium suitable for reactions involving an organo-metallo reagent, e.g., an ether such as tetrahydrofuran. The hydrolysis of the reaction product (the corresponding intermediate salt) may be carried out in the manner conventionally used in hydrolyzing Grignard adducts, for example, in an aqueous medium, e. g., by water or a highly concentrated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride or dilute aqueous acidic or alkaline solution.

Compounds I wherein Q is propadienyl, i.e., Compounds Ip, may be prepared from suitable Compounds Ia or suitable analogs thereof, by a process which is known to the art. Briefly, a compound wherein R is a hydrogen atom and Q is propadienyl, may be obtained by preparing a quaternary ammonium salt (Compound Ipl), from a suitable 17fi-hydroxy, l7a-[N,N-di(lower) alkylaminopropynyl]-substituted steroid, i.e., a Compound Ip2 and reduction of the salt to form the Compound Ip. The reactions are illustrated in the Reaction Scheme A, below wherein only the D rings of the compounds are shown as it is intended that these reactions occur only at the D-ring, R being as defined above and R, R", R and X being defined below.

REACTION SCHEME A l Quaternization with RIII X Reduction with complex hydride OH H CEC=CH2 In Reaction Scheme A, each of R, R, and R is, independently, lower alkyl, e.g., having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and isopropyl; R and R may be joined to form, in conjunction with the nitrogen atom, a ring having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, such as a pyrrolidino or piperidino group; and X is a monovalent ion of a halogen atom having a molecular weight of from 35 to 127; i.e., chloro, bromo or iodo, or the anion of an organic sulfonic acid, such as mesylate ion, tosylate ion or the like.

The quaternization of a Compound Ip2 may be carried out in the conventional manner, e.g., in a suitable solvent, such as acetone, at a temperature of from -20 to +30 C.; neither the solvent nor the temperature conditions being critical. Preferably, R, R and R are the same, and it is particularly preferred they are all methyl. A preferred quaternizing agent (R-X) is methyl iodide.

The reduction of a Compound Ipl may be carried out using a complex hydride, such as lithium aluminum hydride, in an inert organic solvent, e.g., diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, e.g., at a temperature of from to +80 C.; neither the solvent nor the temperature conditions being critical.

Compounds Ip2 may be obtained by known means, e.g., condensation of a 17-carbonyl steroid with an organo-metallo reagent containing a [N,N-di(lower) alkylaminopropynyl] moiety or by carrying out a Mannich reaction with a suitable 17,8-OH, 17a-ethynyl substitutedsteroid and a suitable di(lower)alkylamino-methanol.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in preparing a Compound Ip, that regard should be given to the avoidance of undesired effects at other sites on the molecule during the enumerated reaction step. For example, any 3-keto group would be effected, and therefore it is advisable to use either a protected group or protected structure, i.e., a structure which is stable under the reaction conditions but can later be easily modified to a desired form. For example, a compound having a 3-alkoxy-2,5(10)-unsaturated A ring can be employed as the intermediate when a final product having an A2 or A3 structure is desired.

A particular class of compounds which are related to Compounds Ia and may be readily converted to Compounds Ia or other Compounds I, are Compounds Ib,

wherein R is a protective group for a hydroxy function and R is the same as Q when it is a hydrogen atom,

lower alkyl or lower cycloalkyl. As is well known, a ketal can be readily acid-cleaved to an x0, while a protected hydroxy, e.g., a tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy group can similarly be readily acid-cleaved to the hydroxy. Acid-cleavage my be carried out as described above for cleavage-rearrangements. The

system thus formed, may then be oxidized to the oxo to give the corresponding compound of the compound Ia-type.

The above-described Compounds lb are obtainable by hydrogenation of a suitable 6(7) unsaturated intermediate; a Compound 11,

wherein R, R and R are as defined above..

The hydrogenation may be accomplished by conventional means for reducing an ethylenically unsaturated unit (Process Ha), i.e., by adding two hydrogen atoms to form a single bond.

Compound II are obtainable by a novel process of this invention which involves hydrogenolysis (Process I-Ib) of a suitable dicyclo-B-homosteroid, i.e., a Compound III,

III

wherein R, R and R are as defined above.

The hydrogenolysis (Process Hb) is a novel process which involves the treatment of Compound III with hydrogen at moderate pressures, e.g., at about 1 atmosphere. The process may be carried out in an inert aprotic solvent (free of traces of acid), e.g., ethyl acetate, benzene, glyme, or dioxane, at moderate temperatures, e.g., from about 20 to +30 0., preferably at room temperature (20 to 30 C.), employing as catalyst palladium on charcoal, e.g., 10% palladium on charcoal. Other catalysts such as palladium on an inert carrier such as barium carbonate, may similarly be used.

-It will be readily appreciated that Processes Ha and Hb may be carried out in a sequence such that the intermediate (Compound II) formed from Compound III, need not be recovered, but may be further hydrogenated to obtain Compound 1b. A convenient procedure is to carry out Process Hb (completion of which is indicated by the uptake of one mole of hydrogen gas per mole of the Compound III present), and then apply more vigorous hydrogenation conditions to convert Compound II to 1b, e.g., by raising the hydrogen gas pressure, to within the range of up to about atmospheres, by raising the temperature, to within a range up to about 80 C., by lengthening the reaction time or by any combination of such conditions. A proton-containing solvent may be utilized in Process Ha, e.g., a lower alkanol, such as ethanol; but introduction of such solvent is unnecessary and impractical if reactions Hb and Ha are carried out sequentially in the same reaction medium without recovery of the Compound II formed. Reaction products may be rewherein R, R and R are as defined above and each of Z and Z" are halogen atoms having an atomic weight of from 35 to 80, i.e., chloro or bromo; with a lower alkyl lithium reagent, e.g., having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and preferably being primary, such as methyl or n-butyl at low temperatures, e.g., from about -60 to 30 C., in a suitable inert aprotic solvent, e.g., ethyl ether. Preferably, Process A is carried out in an inert gas atmosphere, e.g., dry nitrogen. It is also preferred that Z=Z".

Compounds IV are novel but may be obtained by the usual procedures reported in the literature for the formation of a dihalo-substituted cyclopropyl ring in conjugation with an aromatic ring, e.g., by the reaction of a styrenoid precursor or here a suitable 6(7) unsaturated steroid (Compound V) with a dihalocarbene generated from a so-called dihalocarbene source (a Compound Za), the halogen atoms of which correspond to Z and Z" as defined above, i.e., chloro or bromo, or a trihalo acetic acid alkali metal salt, e.g., sodium trichloroacetate.

Preferred dihalocarbene sources are phenyl (trihalomethyl) mercury compounds of the formula wherein Z and Z" are as defined above, and are preferably the same, bromo being particularly preferred.

The reaction of the Compound V and dihalocarbene (Process B) may be carried out, e.g., by heating the reactants at temperatures of from about 70 to 160 C., in an inert organic solvent, e.g., benzene, toluene, cyclohexane, or diglyrne. Preferred temperatures are from about to C.

It will be appreciated that in the above-enumerated reactions, certain variations and modifications may be carried out for example, a Compound II may be deprotected before being hydrogenated to a Compound Ib-type analog. Such obvious and non-critical variations or modifications of the novel processes of this invention are within the contemplated scope of this invention.

Preparation of a Compound Ib starting from a Compound V is conveniently illustrated by Reaction Scheme B, below wherein R, R R, Z and Z are as defined above.

1 Process B IV C l lProcess A III on, RaO

Hydrogenation (Process Ha) Rb R on, R O

Compounds and reagents mentioned in connection with the above-described processes or reactions are either known and may be prepared as described in the literature, or Where not known, may be prepared in a manner analogous to that described for the preparation of the known analogs.

For example, a Compound V may be obtained from a corresponding steroid having an A2-type structure by treatment thereof with N-bromosuccinarnide followed by treatment with an alkylating agent under strongly basic conditions. Thus, by way of illustration, 17-ethylenedioxy- 13-ethylgona-4-en-3-one, in refluxing carbon tetrachloride, is treated with 3 molar equivalents of N-bromosuccinamide (NBS) for S-minutes and the reaction product (17-ethylenedioxy-13-ethylgona 1,3,5 10) 6-tetraen-3-ol) is reacted in refluxing tertiary-butanol with several equivalents of each of potassium-tert.-butoxide and of dimethyl sulfate to give 17-ethylene-dioxy-13-ethyl-3- methoXygona-1,3,5(10),6-tetraene, which is Compound V.

By way of illustration of the variety of conversions and interconversions contemplated as within the scope of this invention, there is presented below Reaction Scheme C, showing the preparation of certain Compounds I wherein A is either A1, A2 or A3, starting from a Compound Ib which is cleaved and reduced at the 17-p0sition before hydrogenation (using the conditions of Process Hb). In Reaction Scheme B, it will be noted that the compounds have a 13-methyl substituent which remains throughout the reactions.

REACTION SCHEME CHaO Acetal l Cleavage l Carbonyl Reduction CHaO l Hydrogenation l Birch Reduction cological properties in animals. In particular, such compounds are useful as fertility control agents in animals as they exhibit estrogenic activity. The estrogenic activity is indicated in the rat as determined by well-known methods, e.g., the method basically described in Am. J. Physiol.

These compounds may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or adjuvant. They may be administered orally or parenterally. The dosage will vary depending upon the mode of administration utilized and the particular compound employed. However, in general, satisfactory results are obtained when the compounds are administered at a daily dosage of from about 0.01 milligram to 40 milligrams. This daily dosage is preferably given in equally divided doses, e.g., 1 to 2 times a day, or in sustained release form. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the daily dosage level is independent of body Weight. Dosage forms suitable for internal administration comprise from about 0.005 mg. to about 4 mg. of the compound in admixture with a solid or liquid pharmaceutical carrier or diluent.

A representative formulation suitable for oral administration is a capsule (250 mg.) prepared by standard techniques which contains the following:

Ingredient: Weight (mg) 3 mehtoxy 8u-methylestra-1,3,5(10)-trien- 17B-ol 0.5

Inert solid diluent (starch, lactose, kaolin) 249.5

The following examples are provided as illustrative of the invention; all temperatures are centigrade and room I temperature is 20 to 30 C., unless indicated otherwise.

EXAMPLE 1 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 l) -triene-17 [3-01 CHaO Step A: 7 ,7-dibromo-17-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxycyclo [6a,7aa] -B-homoestra1,3,5 (10) -triene Step B: 17-ethylenedioxy3-methoxy-dicyclo[6,7a,7,8]-

B-h0moestra-1,3,5 (10) -triene To 70 ml. of 1.7 M meth'yllithi-um/ether solution, stirred under nitrogen at 65 C, there is added, in one portion 3.0 g. of 7,7-dibromol7-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxy-cyclo[6a,7au] B-homoestra 1,3,5 10) -triene, After 25 min. stirring at this temperature, the mixture is gradually min.) warmed to 25, and carefully decomposed with ice-water. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (3 X 20 ml.) and the organic layers are combined, washed and dried (over anhydrous sodium sulfate) and then concentrated to about 5 ml. On storage at 0", 17 ethylenedioxy 3 methoxy-dicyclo[-6,7a,7,8]-B- homoestra 1,3,5(10) triene crystallizes M.P. 159-161, [u] =+51.7 (C=1, CHCl +pyridine).

Step C: 1T-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 (10) ,fi-tetraene ores X To a slurry of 666 mg. of pre-hydrogenated palladium on charcoal 10% catalyst in 136 ml. of ethyl acetate, stirred in a hydrogen atmosphere, a little over 1 at., there is added a solution of 850 mg. of 17-ethylenedioxy- 3 methoxy dicyclo[6,7a,7,8} B-homoestra-1,3,5(10)- triene in 20 ml. of ethyl acetate. After the uptake of 1 equivalent of hydrogen gas (about 5 min.), the hydrogenation is interrupted, the catalyst filtered ofi and the solution evaporated to dryness to obtain a residue. The residue is crystallized from ether-methanol (1:1) to yield 17 ethylenedioxy 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10), G-tetraene M.P. 101.5-103[oc] =31.59 (C=1, CHCl Step D: 3-methoxy-8amethylestra- 1,3,5 (10 ,6-tetraen-17-one A mixture of 296 mg. of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra- 1,3,5 (10},6-tetraen-l7-one 10.5 ml. of methylene dichloride, 10.5 ml. of absolute ethanol and 450 mg. of sodium borohydride is stirred at 0 for 5 hours. Ice-water is added, the mixture is extracted with methylene dichloride and the extract re-crystallized from ether-petroleum ether CHaO 265 mg. of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(l0),6- tetraen-17B-ol is dissolved in 10 ml. of absolute ethanol and hydrogenated at 75 under 40 p.s.i.g., pressure with 50 mg. catalyst (pre-hydrogenated palladium on charcoal: 10%). The catalyst is filtered off and the solution is evaporated to obtained a residue. Crystallization of the residue from ether-petroleum ether (1:1) gives 3-methoxy 8o: methylestra-1,3,S(l)-trien-l7;8-ol, M.P. 142- 143 [a] =+46.49 (C=1, CHCl Step G: 3-methoxy-Sa-methylestra-l,3,5(10) trien-17-one To a solution of 260 mg. of chromium trioxide in 8 ml. of pyridine, there is added 302 mg. of 3-methoxy-8otmethlestra-1,3,5(10-trien-17B-ol. The mixture is stored 18 hours at room temperature, following which it is poured on ice-water. The crude compound is then extracted with benzene. The extracts are combined and passed through a short column of alumina, and the title compound is recovered by evaporation.

EXAMPLE 2 3-methoxy-8u-methylestral ,3,5 10 -triene-17-one (alternative method) Step A: 17-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxy-8a.-methylestra- 1,13,5(10), triene To prehydrogenated slurry of 52 mg. of palladium on charcoal (10%) catalyst in 20 ml. of dimethoxy-ethane, there is added 300 mg. of l7-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxy dicyclo [6.7a;7,8]-B-homoestra-1,3,5(10)-triene and stirring in a hydrogen atmosphere of 45 p.s.i.g., started. After 30 minutes at room temperature, the temperature is raised to 48 and steadily continued for 4 hours. After cooling, the catalyst is filtered off and the crude 17-ethylendioxy- 3 methoxy 8a-methylestra-1,3,5(IO-triene is obtained by evaporation of the solvent.

Step B: 3 methoxy-8a-ruethylestra- 1,3,5(10)-triene-17-one Hydrolysis step: The crude ketal derivative obtained in Step A above (as residue) is dissolved in 13.5 ml. of glacial acetic acid; 1.35 ml. of water is added and the mixture kept at 25 for 4 hours. More water (150 ml.) is then added and the steroid extracted with benzene. The (3X 100 ml.) combined benzene layers are Washed with 10% aqueous sodium bicarbonate, then water and then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na SO The combined benzene layers are evaporated to a residue ether to give the title product M.P. 146-1495".

14 EXAMPLE 3 Step A: 3-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- tn'en-l7-one O CH3 ll CHa HO A solution of 300 mg. of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra- 1,3,5 l0)-trien-17-one and of 1.0 g. of lithium iodide in 5 ml. of dimethyl acetamide is heated under reflux until thin layer chromatography indicates that the formation of a more polar product is complete. After cooling, water is added and the product collected by filtration.

Step B: -8u-methylestrone acetate A solution of 350 mg. of the above 3-hydroxy-8w methylestra l,3,5(10)-triene-17-one (8ot-methylestrone) and of 1.2 g. of acetic anhydride in 10 ml. of pyridine is allowed to stand at 0 for 18 hours and then poured on ice-water whereupon the crystalline title product is filtered olf and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate.

Step C: 3-isopropyloxy-8 a-methylestra- 1,3,5 10) trienl7-one A solution of 3-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien-l7-one (500 mg.) from Step A in boiling isopropyl alcohol (20 mg.) is alternately treated with small portions of sodium isopropylate and isopropyl iodide until analytical thin layer chromatography indicates the dis appearance of starting material. Water is then added (100 ml.) and the title product removed by filtration. It is purified by chromatography on alumina (Grade 3) using benzene as an eluent.

Carrying out the above procedure, but replacing the isopropyl alcohol, the sodium isopropylate and the isopropyl iodide with equivalent amounts of t-butanol, potassium t-butylate and cyclopentyl bromide, respectively, there is obtained 3 cyclopentyloxy 8a-methylestra- 1,3,5 l0)-trien-l7-one.

EXAMPLE 4 17u-ethyl-3-methoxy8 u-methylestra- 1,3,5 l0 trien-l7fi-ol OH CH3 CZH5 To a Grignard mixture prepared from 0.52 g. of magnesium and 2.1 ml. of ethyl bromide in 20' ml. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, there is dropwise added at 60 C. a solution of 425 mg. of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra 1,3,5 (10)-trien-17-one in 8 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. Under nitrogen atmosphere, the mixture is refluxed for 5 hours, then cooled, decomposed by the addition of 15 ml. of saturated ammonium chloride solution and extracted with chloroform. The title product is obtained by the evaporation of the dried and washed (H O) chloroform solution and is purified by recrystallization from ethanol.

When allyl bromide is substituted for ethyl bromide in the process of this example, there is obtained l7m-allyl- 3-methoxy-8 a.-methylestra- 1,3,5 10) -trien-17fi-ol.

When 17a ethyl 3 methoxy c methylestra- 15 1,3,5(10) trien 17,8 01 or 17a-allyl-3-methoxy-8amethylestra 1,3,5 (10) trien 17 6-01 is used in place of 3 methoxy 80c methylestra 1,3,5 (10)-trien-17- one in the process of Example 3A, there is obtained 17a ethyl 8a methylestra l,3,5(l)-trien-3,l7fidiol or 170: allyl 8a methylestra-l,3,5(10)-trien- 3,1713-diol.

EXAMPLE 5 l 7a-ethynyl-3-methoxy-8umethylestra-1,3 ,5 l0

. trien-l7B-ol To a mixture of 2.1 g. of lithium acetylide-ethylenediamine complex in 15 ml. of anhydrous dimethyl acetamide, there is added 325 mg. of 3-methoxy-8m-methylestra 1,3,5 ()-trien-17-one. After 2 hours at 20, the mixture is poured onto 100 ml; of 2 N hydrochloric acid. The title product which separates as a solid, is removed by filtration and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate-hexane.

When cyclohexyl lithium is used in place of lithium acetylide in the process of this example, there is obtained 17m cyclohcxyl 3 methoxy-8armethylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien 17 ,B-ol.

Following the procedure of Example 3A but using 17:: ethynyl 3 methoxy 8m-methylestra-l-,3,5(10)- trien .175 ol or 17a-cyclohexyl-3-methoxy-8wmethylestra 1,3,5(10) trien 17 3-01 in place of 3-methoxy- 8a methylestra 1,3,5(10) trien-17-one, there is obtained 170a ethynyl 8a methylestra 1,3,S(l0)-trieu- 3,175 diol or 17a-cyclohexyl-8u-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien-3,17fi-diol.

EXAMPLE 6 17ec-fiuoroethynyl-3-methoxy-8 a-methylestra- 1,3,5 10)-trien-17B-ol A solution of 8.5 grams of 1-chloro-2-fiuoroethylene in 50 cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether is added dropwise with stirring, at 0 C. over a half hour period, to cc. of a 1.4 N solution of methyl lithium in anhydrous di ethyl ether, maintained under an inert nitrogen atmos' phere. The mixture is then held at room temperature, with stirring, for an additional 90 minutes.

A solution of 0.5 gram of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra 1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one in cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether is then added dropwise, with stirring, over a 15 minute period, following which the resulting reaction mixture is held at room temperature, with stirring, for 18 hours. Following this reaction period, the reaction mixture is poured into ice-Water and then extracted with diethyl ether. The combined ether extracts are washed with Water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and then concen trated under vacuum. Chromatography of the residue on basic alumina, using petroleum ether/diethyl ether (8:2, respectively, by volume) as the eluant, followed by crystallization from methanol, yields 17ct-fluoroethynyl-3' methoxy-8ot-methylestra- 1,3,5 1 0) -trien-17,8-ol.

When 17a-fluoroethynyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3, 5(l0)-trien-17p3-ol is used in place of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17/3-one in the process 7, Example 3A, there is obtained 17u-fluoroethynyl-8ix-methylestra- 1,3,5 l0)-trien-3,l7;3-diol.

EXAMPLE 7 3-meth-oxy-8 a-methyl- 17 a-propadienylestra- 1,3,5 (10)-trien-17fl-o'l Step A: 3-methoxy-8a-methyl-I'Za-dlmethylamlnoprcpyny1estra-1,3,5 (10 -trlene-17 5-01 To a solution of 2 g. of lithium metal in 36 ml. of ethylene diamine, there is added dropwise 15 m1. of 3-dimethylamino propyne. To the reagent thus obtained, a solution of 3.2 g. of 3-methoxy-8e-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien-17-one in 20 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise. After 3 hours at room temperature, the title product is isolated by quenching on ice-water and extracting with chloroform.

Step B: 3-methoxy-Se-methyl-17e-dimethylaminopropyny1estra-l,3,5 (10)-trien-17B-ol-methiodide The crude title product of Step A is dissolved in 40 ml. of acetone and 6 ml. of methyl iodide is added. The crystals separated after 18 hours at 5 are filtered to give the Step B title product.

Step 0: 3-methoxy-8a-methyl-l7a-propadienylestra-1,3,5 (10*) -trien-17fi-o1 To a solution of 4.2 g. of the product of Step B, in ml. of absolute pyridine, there is added 0.5 g. of lithium aluminum hydride. After 20 minutes at room temperature, water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution are added and the mixture filtered from the separated alu mina. The pyridine is stripped oil in vacuo and the residue taken up in benzene and with Water. After drying over sodium sulfate, the benzene solution is evaporated to give the 3-methoxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-1,3,5 l0)- trien-17B-o'l.

Following the procedure of Example 3A but using 3- methoxy 8a methyl 17a propadienylestra-1,3,5(10) trien-17fl-ol in place of 3-methoxy-8u-methylestra-1,3,5- (10)-17B-one, there is obtained 8u-methyl-l7a-propadienylestra-1,3,5 (10)-trien-3,17;8-diol.

EXAMPLE 8 17,3-acetoxy-17a-ethyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 10)-trien-3-ol Step A: 3,17fl-diacetoxy-17a-ethy1-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 10 -triene 1 g. of 17a-ethyl-8ot-met'hylestra-1,3,5(l0)-trien-3,1713- diol, prepared as described in Example 4, 1 g. of p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate, 50 ml. of acetic acid and 25 ml. acetic anhydride is allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is then poured into water and stirred until the excess acetic anhydride is hydrolyzed. The aqueous mixture is then extracted with methylene dichloride, the organic phase separated, water washed, dried over sodium sulfate evaporated under vacuum to obtain the product 3,17B-diacetoxy-17a-etl1yl-8amethylestra-1,3,5(10)-triene as residue, which is then re fined by crystallization from methanol.

When

17ot-allyl-8a-methylestra-1,3 ,5 10) -trien-3, 17 B-diol,

l7a-ethynyl-8 m-methylestra- 1 ,3,5 l0) -trien-3, 17 3- diol,

17a-cyclohexyl-8e-methylestra-1,3,5 (10)-trien-3,17fi-diol;

17u-fluoroethynyl-8a-methylestra- 1,3,5 10) -trien-3,17fidiol, or

8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-l ,3,5( 10 Mien-3,175-

diol

is used in place of 17a'ethyl-8 u-methylestra-1,3,5 (10)- trien-3,17fl-dio1 in the above process, there is obtained:

3,17j3-diacetoxy-l7a-a1lyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- triene;

3, 17 3-diacetoxy-17a-ethynyl-8u-methylestra-1,3,5 (10)- triene;

3,17 3-diacet0xy-17a-allyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- triene; 3,17B-diacetoxy-17a-ethynyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- triene; 3,17fi-diacetoxy-17a-cyclohexyl-Sa-methyIestra-I,3,5( 10) triene; 3,17fi-diacetoxy-17ix-fiuoroethynyl-Sa-methylestra- 1,3,5 10) -triene or 3 ,17B-diacetoxy-8a-methyl-l7u-propadienylestra- 1,3,5 l) -triene,

is used in place of 3,17fl-diacetoxy-17u-ethyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5()-triene in the process of Step 8B, there is obtained 17fl-acetoxy-17a-allyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)-trien- 17B-acetoxy-17a-ethynyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 10

trien-3-ol;

17fi-acetoxy-17a-cyclohexyl-8u-methylestra-1,3,5 l0

trien-3-ol;

17fl-acetoxy-17a-fluoroethynyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 1O

trien-3-ol; or

17B-acetoxy-8a-methyl-17a-pr0padienylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien-3-ol, respectively.

EXAMPLE 9 O CHQ O 1 g. of 17a-ethyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3,17B- diol, prepared as described in Example 4, 50 ml. of pyridine and 25 ml. acetic anhydride is allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is then poured into water and stirred until the excess acetic anhydride is hydrolyzed. The aqueous mixture is then extracted with methylene dichloride, the organic phase separated, water washed, dried over sodium sulfate evaporated under vacuum to obtain the title product as residue, which is then refined by crystallization from methanol.

When

17a-ally1-8a-methylestra-1,3 ,5( 10)-trien-3,17;8-diol,

17u-ethynyl-8a-methylestra- 1,3 ,5 10 )trien-3, 17p-diol,

17a-cyclohexyl-Ba-methylestra-1,3,5 10)-trien-3,17 8- diol;

17a-fiuoroethynyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3,17p-

diol, or

18 8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-1,3,5( 10)-trien-3,17,3-

diol

is used in place of 17a-ethyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien-3,17[3-diol in the above process, there is obtained S-acetoxy-17a-allyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 10 -trien- 17 fi-ol;

S-acetoxy-17a-ethynyl-8u-methylestra-l,3,5 10) -trien- 3-acetoxy-17a-cyclohexyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien- 1 7(3-01;

3-acetoxy- 17 a-fiuoroethynyl-8 a-methylestra- 1 ,3,5 10

trien- 1 75-01 or 3-acetoxy-8a-methyl-l7a-propadienylestra-1,3,5 10) trien- 1 75-01, respectively.

EXAMPLE 10 17fi-acetoxy- 17 a-ethyl-3-methoxy-8a-rnethylestra- 1,3,5(10)-triene I 0 6-011; CH2

1 g. of 17a-ethyl-3-methoxy-8u-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien-17fl-ol, prepared as described in Example 4, 1 g. of p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate, 50 ml. of acetic acid and 25 m1. acetic anhydride is allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is then poured into Water and stirred until the excess acetic anhydride is hydrolyzed. The aqueous mixture is then extracted with methylene dichloride, the organic phase separated, water washed, dried over sodium sulfate evaporated under vacuum to obtain the product 17B-acetoxy- 17a ethyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)-triene, as residue, which is then refined by crystallization from methanol.

When

3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 10) -trien- -01;

17a-allyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3 ,5 10) -trien- 17a-ethynyl-J-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 (10)-trien- 17a-cyclohexyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 (10)- trien- 175-01;

17wfluoroethynyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 10) trien- 17 8-01; or

3-methoxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien- 17,8-01

is used in place of 17u-ethyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra- 1,3,5(10)-trien-17;3-ol in the above process there is obtained 17fi-acetoxy-3-methoxy-methylestra-1,3,5 10) -triene;

17fi-acetoxy-17a-allyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra- 1,3,5(10)-triene;

17 fi-acetoxy- 17 a-ethynyl-B -methoxy-8a-methylestra- 1,3,5(10)-triene;

17fl-acetoxy- 17a-cyc1ohexyl-3-rnethoxy-8a-methylestra- 1,3,5(10)-triene;

17 B-acetoxyl7a-fiuoroethynyl-3-methoxy-8 x-methylestra-1,3 ,5 10) -triene or 17B-acetoxy-3-methoxy-8u-methyl-17a-pr0padienylestra-l,3,5(10)-triene, respectively.

19 EXAMPLE 11 8u-methylestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3,17,6-diol To a mixture containing 3 equivalents of lithium tritert-butoxyaluminum hydride in 50 ml. of ether, there is dropwise added 365 mg. of 3-hydroxy-8-a-methylestral,3,5(10)-trien-17-one prepared as described in Step A of Example 3 in 20 ml. of ether at 2'0 temperature. After 8 hours stirring, methanol is added followed by ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and upon evaporation yields 8u-methylestra-L3, 5(l0)-trien-3,17;8 -diol which is recrystallized from etha- 1101.

When 8ct-methylestrone acetate prepared as described in Step B of Example 3 is used in place of 3-hydroxy- 8a-methylestra-l,3,5(l0)-trien-17-one in the above process, there is obtained 3-acetoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)- trien-l7 3-ol.

EXAMPLE 12 l7fi-acetoxy-Sa-methylestra- 1,3 ,5 1&0) -trien-3-ol O 0 15-0 Hg ut l CHI H0 Step A: 8a-methyl-3-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-1,3,5 (10) -trien-17-0ne To mixture of ml. of benzene, 3 ml. of dihydrofuran and 1.2 g. of phosphorus oxychloride there is added a benzene (3 ml.) solution containing 500 mg. of 3- hydroxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5( l0) -trien- 17 -one prepared as described in Example 3. After 18 hours at room temperature, the mixture is poured over 50 g. of ice containing 5 g. of sodium carbonate; the benzene layer is separated, washed and evaporated to give the product 8mmethyl-3-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra 1,3,5(l0)-trien-17- one which is then purified by recrystallization from ether.

Step B: Sa-methyl-S-tetrahydrofuranyloxytetra-1,3,5 (10) -trieu-17 5-01 To a mixture containing 3 equivalents of lithium tritert-butoxyaluminum hydride in 50 ml. of ether, there is dropwise added 365 mg. of 8a-methyl-3-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-l,3,5(10)-trien-17-one in 20 m1. of ether at 20 temperature. After 8 hours stirring, methanol is added followed by ice-water and extraction with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and upon evaporation yields 8u-methyl-3-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra 1,3,5(10) trien- 17,8-ol recrystallized from ethanol.

Step 0: 17 acetoxy-8a-methyl-3-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-1,3,5 (10) -trien.

300 mg. of 8tit-methyl-3-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-l,3, 5(10)-trien-17;3-ol diol, l g. of p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate, 50 ml. of acetic acid and ml. acetic anhydride is allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is then poured into water and stirred until the excess acetic art-hydride is hydrolyzed. The aqueous mixture is then extracted with methylene dichloride, the organic phase separated, water washed,

dried over sodium sulfate, evaporated under vacuum to obtain the product 17fi-acetoxy-8a-methyl-3-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-1,3,5(10) -triene as residue, which is then refined by crystallization from methanol.

Step D 17B-aeetoxy-8a-methylestra-LB,5 (10)-trlen-3-ol A solution of 300 mg. of l7fl-acetoxy-8a-methyl-B- tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-1,3,5(10)-triene in 14.85 ml. of -(v./v.) aqueous acetic acid is kept at 25 for 6 hours. 30 ml. of Water is added and the resultant 1718 aCCtOXY-Sa-IIIEthYlBSlFa-1,3,5 (10) -trien-3-ol is recovered by benzene extraction and recrystallization.

EXAMPLE 13 17fi-hydroxy-Ba-methyIestra-S(10)-en-3-one Step A 3-methoxy-8a methylestra-2,5(10)-dien-17,8-01

To a solution of 3.6 g. of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra- 1,3,5(10)-trien-17B-ol prepared as described in Step F of Example 1, in a refluxing (30) mixture of ml. of liquid ammonia, 30 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 20 ml. of tertiary butanol, there is added in small pieces 0.8 g. of lithium metal. The resulting mixture is maintained at about -30 for 3 hours, after which 30' ml. of methanol is then carefully added and the ammonia allowed to escape. Ice-cold 0.5 in. aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is then added (200 ml.) and the mixture concentrated in vacuo to a volume of 80 ml. whereupon 3-methoxy-8a-methyIestra-LS(10)-dien-17p-ol separates as a solid, and is filtered oil and dried.

Step B: 17B-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-5(10)-en-3-one A solution of 1 g. of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-2,5- (10)-dien-17;B-ol in 80 ml. of methanol is admixed with a solution of 1 g. of oxalic acid in 20 ml. of water and the resulting mixture is keptat 50 for 30 minutes. Following this reaction period, the mixture is concentrated in vacuo to about 20 ml. then poured into ice-Water. The resulting precipitate is collected by filtration, washed with water until neutral then dried. Recrystallization of the dry precipitate from acetone-hexane (1:1) gives 1713- hydroxy-8a-znethylestra-5 10) -en-3-one.

EXAMPLE 14 17u-ethyl-17fl-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-5 10) -en-3-one Step A 3-methoxy-8amethy1estra-25 (10 -dien-17-one A mixture of 2.3 g. of 3-methoxy-Sa-methyIestra-Z,5- (10)-dien-17fi-ol prepared as described in Step A of Example 13 above, 5.3 g. of aluminum isopropoxide, 40 ml. of 2-butanone and 40 ml. of benzene is refluxed in a nitrogen atmosphere for 48 hours. After cooling, 50 ml. of ice-cold 2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is added and after filtration, the benzene layer was washed and dried. Evaporation and recrystallization from aqueous alcohol yield 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-2,5 lO)-diene-17- one.

S tep B 17a-ethyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-2,5 (10) -dlen-17fl-ol To a Grignard mixture prepared for-m 0.52 g. of magnesium and 2.1 ml. of ethyl bromide in 20 ml. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, there is added dropwise at 60 C. a solution of 425 mg. of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-2,5- (10)-dien-l7-one in 8 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. Under nitrogen atmosphere, the mixture is refluxed for 5 hours, then cooled, decomposed by the addition of 15 ml. of saturated ammonium chloride solution and extracted with chloroform. The product 17a-ethy1-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra- 2,5(10)-dien-17/3-ol is obtained by the evaporation of the dried and washed (H O) chloroform solution and is purified by recrystallization from ethanol.

Step C: 17a-ethy1-17/3-hydroxy-8wmethy1- estra-5 10 -en-3-one Following the procedure of Step B of Example 13 but using an equivalent amount of 17u-cthyl-3-methoxy-8amethylestra-2,5(10)-dien-17B-ol in place of the 3-methoxy- 8a-methylestra-2,5(10)-dien-l7B-ol used therein, there is obtained 17a-ethy1-17fl-hydroxy-8a-methyIestra-S 10) -en- 3-one.

When an equivalent amount of allyl bromide is used in place of ethyl bromide in Step A above, the processes of this example yield 17u-allyl-l7fi-hydroxy-8a-methy1- estra-5(10)-en-3-one.

EXAMPLE 15 17a-ethyny1- l7fl-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-5 10)-en-3-one OH -05 on Step A: 17a-ethyny1-3-methoxy-8a-methy1- estra-2,5 (10 -dien-17B-ol To a mixture of 2.1 g. of the lithium acetylide-ethylene diamine complex in 15 ml. of anhydrous dimethyl acetamide, there is added 740 mg. of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-2,5(10)-dien-17-one obtainable as described in Step A of Example 14. After 2 hours at 20, the mixture is poured on ice-water and the separating solids are filtered olf, washed with water until neutral, dried and then crystallized from acetone-hexane (1:1) to give l7a-ethynyl-3 -methoxy-8a-methylestra-2,5 1 -dien- 175-01.

Step B: 17a-ethyny1-17B-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-B (l0) -en-3one Following the procedure of Step B of Example 13- except replacing the 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-2,5(10)- dien-17fl-o1 used therein with an equivalent amount of 170: ethynyl 3 methoxy 8oz methylestra-2,5(l0)- dien-17/3-ol there is obtained 17a ethynyl-l7fi-hydroxy- 8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one.

When an equivalent amount of cyclohexyl lithium is used in place of lithium acetylide in Step A above, the processes of this example yield 17u-cycl0hexyl-l7 8- hydroXy-Sa-methyIestra-S 10) -en-3-one.

EXAMPLE l6 17a-fiuoroethylnyl-17fl-hydroxy-8u-methylestra- )-en-3-one Step A: 17a-fluoroethyny1-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra2,5 (10) -dien-17B-o1 A solution of 8.5 grams of l-chloro-2-fiuoroethylene in 50 cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether is added dropwise with stirring, at 0 C. over a half hour period, to 15 cc. of a 1.4 N solution of methyl lithium in anhydrous diethyl ether, maintained under an inert nitrogen atmosphere, and the mixture is then held at room temperature, with stirring, for an additional minutes.

A solution of 0.5 gram of 3-methoxy-Sa-methyIestra-Z, 5 (10)-dien-17-one prepared as described in Step A of Example 14 in 20 cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether is then added dropwise, with stirring, over a 15 minute period, following which the resulting reaction mixture is held at room temperature, with stirring, for 18 hours. Following this reaction period the reaction mixture is poured into ice-water and then extracted with diethyl ether. The ether extract is washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and then concentrated under vacuum. Chromatography of the residue on basic altmiina, using petroleum ether/diethyl ether (8:2, respectively, by volume) as the eluant, followed by crystallization from methanol, yields 17a fluoroethynyl-3-methoxy 8oz methylestra-2,5(l0)- dien-17fi-ol.

Step 13: 17a-fluoroethynyl-17B-hydroxy- Sa-methylestra-fi (10') -en-'3-one Following the procedure of Step B, Example 13 except replacing the 3-methoxy-8u-methylestra-2,5(10)-dien-1713- 01 used therein with an equivalent amount of 17oc-fll1010- ethynyl 3 methoxy 8a methylestra 2,5(10)-dien- 17/301 there is obtained 17a-fluoroethynyl-17fl-hydroxy- Su-methyIestra-S 10)-en-3-one.

EXAMPLE l7 l7B-hydroxy-8a-methyl-17u-propadienylestra-5 l0 en-3-one OH ---on=o=on,

Step A: 3-methoxy-Sa-methyl-l7a-dlmethylaminopropynylestra-2,5 (10 -d1en-17,B-o1

To a solution of 2 g. of lithium metal in 36 ml. of ethylene diamine, there is added dropwise 15 ml. of 3-dimethylamino propynyl. To the reagent thus obtained, a solution of 3.2 g. of 3-methoxy-Sa-methyIestra-Z,5(10)- dien-l7-one prepared as described in Step A of Example 14 in 20 m1. of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise. After 3 hours at room temperature, the product 3-methoxy-8amethyl 170: dimethylaminopropynylestra-2,5(10)-dien- 17 6-01 is isolated by quenching on ice-water and extracting with chloroform.

Step B: 3-methoxy-8a-methy1-1'Za-dlmethylamlnopropynylestra-2,5 (10) -dien-17fi-ol methiodide The crude product of Step A is dissolved in 40 ml. of acetone. 6 ml. of methyl iodide is added. The crystals separated after 18 hours at 5 are filtered to give 3- methoxy-8u-methy1 17:! dimethylaminopropynylestra- 2,5 10) -dien-l7;8-ol methiodide.

Step C: 3-methoxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadieny1- estra-2,5 (10 -en-3-one To a solution of 4.2 g. of the product of Step B, in ml. of absolute pyridine, there is added 0.5 g. of lithium aluminum hydride. After 20 minutes at room temperature, water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution is added and the mixture filtered from the separated alumina. The pyridine is stripped oil? in vacuo, the residue taken up in benzene and washed with water. After drying over Na SO the benzene solution is evaporated to give 3-methoxy-8u-methyl-l7a-propadienylestra-2,5 (10)-dien-l7fi-ol.

Step I): 17fl-hydroxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadlenylastral-5 (10 -en-3-one Following the procedure of Step B of Example 13, but using an equivalent amount of 3-methoxy-8a-methyl-l7apropadienylestra-2,5(10)-dien-17fl-ol in place of the 3- methoxy-8a-metl1ylestra-2,5(10)-dien-17fi-ol used therein, there is obtained 17fl-hydroxy-8a-methyl-17u-propadienylestra-S 10 -en-3-one.

EXAMPLE 18 17fi-acetoxy-8 a-methyIeStra-S 10) -en-3-one O iiCHx OH: H

A solution of 350 mg. of 17fl-hydroxy-8ot-methylestra- 5(10)-en-3-one, prepared as described in Step B of Example 13, 0.5 g. of p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate and 1.2 g. of acetic anhydride in 10 ml. of pyridine is allowed to stand at for 18 hours and then is poured into ice-water. The crystalline title product separates and is filtered 0E and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate.

When an equivalent amount of 1 7fi-aceto'xy- 17-m-ethyl-8'bt-methylestra-5 10) -en-3-one;

17/3-acetoxy-17a-a11yl-8u-methylestra-S 10)-en-3-one;

1 7,6-acetoxy-17a-ethynyl-8ot-methylestra-5 10)-en-3- one;

l7fl-acetoxy-17u-cyclohexyl-8e-methylestra-5 10 -en-3- one;

1'lfl-acetoxy-17oc-fluoroethynyl-Sa-methyIestIa-S l0) en-3-one or 17p-acetoxy- 8u-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-5 10) en- 3-one, respectively.

EXAMPLE 19 8ot-methylestra-5 10 )-en-3, l7-dione Following the procedure of Example 13, Step B above, but replacing the 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-2,5(10)-dich- 175-01 used therein with an equivalent amount of 3- methoxy-8a-methylestra-2,5(10)-dien-17-one prepared as described in Step A of Example 14, there is obtained 8mmethylestra-(10)-en-3,17-dionc.

24 EXAMPLE 20 17fl-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one Method A: A solution of 1.0 g. of 17fi-hydroxy-8amethylestra-5(10)-en-3-0ne prepared as described in Step B of Example 13 above in ml. of methanol is heated, at 40, with 5 ml. of 5 N aqueous hydrochloric acid. After 30 minutes, ice-water and 1.0 g. of sodium acetate is added, the resulting precipitate is filtered, washed and dried. Recrystallization from methylene dichlorideethcr gives 1'lfi-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one.

Method B: A solution of 1.0 g. of 17B-hydroxy-8umcthylestra-5(10)-en-3-one obtainable as described in Step B of Example 13 above in 10 ml. of methanol is mixed with 10 ml. of aqueous 0.1 normal potassium hydroxide solution and the resulting mixture is refluxed for 1 hour. Following this reaction period, the mixture is poured on water and the resulting precipitate is filtered, washed with water until neutral and then dried. Recrystallization from methylene-dichloride-diethy] ether yields 17B-hydroxy-8ot-rnethylestra-4-en-3-one.

Method C: Repeating the procedure described in Method A above except replacing the 17,6-hydroxy-8w methylestra-5(10)-en-3-one used therein with an equivalent amount of S-methoxy-8u-methylestra-2,5(10)-dim- -01 prepared as described in Step A of Example 13, there is obtained 1713-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one.

EXAMPLE 21 17rx-ethyl-1 7 8-hydroxy-8u-methylestra-4-en-3-one A solution of 1.0 g. of 17ot-ethyl-17B-hydroxy-8amethylestr-a-5(10)en-3-one prepared as described in Step B of Example 14 above in 80 ml. of methanol is heated, at 40, with 5 ml. of 5 N aqueous hydrochloric acid. After 30 minutes, ice-water and 1.0 g. of sodium acetate is added, the resulting precipitate is filtered, washed and dried. Recrystallization from methylene dichloride-ether gives Fla-ethyl-17B-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-onc.

When an equivalent amount of 8ot-methylestra-5(10)-en-3,17-di0ne; 17e-allyl-17,3-hydr0xy-8a-methylestra-S 10)-en-3-one; 17a-ethynyl-17B-hydroxy-8a-methyIestra-S 10 -en-3-one; 17a-cyclohexyl-17fi-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-S 10 -en- 3-one; l 7a-fiuoroethynyl-17B-hydroxy-8ot-methyIestra-S 10 en-S-one; or 17fl-hydroxy-8u-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-5 1O en-3-one is used in place of 17a-ethy1- 17 B-hydroxy-8a-methy1estra- 5 10) -en-3-one in the above process, there is obtained 8a-methylestra-4-en-3 ,17-dione; 17a-allyl-17fi-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4en-3-one; 17a-ethynyl-1713-hydroxy-8 tat-methylestra-4-en-3-one; 17a-cyclohexyl-17fi-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one;

25 17a-fluoroethynyll 7 3-hydroxy-8u-methylestra-4-en-3- one; 17,8-hydroxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-4-en-3- one, respectively.

EXAMPLE 22 17fi-acetoxy-l7a-ethyl-8u-methylestra-4-en-3-one H3O O-CH;

A mixture of 1 g. of 17a-ethyl-17B-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one prepared as described in Example 21, 1.9 g. of p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate, 50 ml. of pyridine and 25 ml. acetic anhydride is allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is then poured into water and stirred until the excess acetic anhydride is hydrolyzed. The aqueous mixture is then extracted with methylene dichloride, the organic phase separated, water washed, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under vacuum to obtain the title product 175-acetoxy-17u-ethyl-8u-methylestra-4-en-3-one, as residue, which is then refined by crystallization from methan01.

When an equivalent amount of l75-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one;

17a-a1lyl-17;3-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one;

17a-ethynyl-17B-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one;

17a-cyclohexyl-17fi-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one;

17a-fiuoroethynyl-17fl-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3- one; or

17B-hydroxy-8 a-methyl-17u-propadienylestra-4-en-3-one is used in place of 17a-ethyl-17B-hydroxy-8ot-methylestra- 4-en-3-one in the above process, there is obtained 17j3-acetoxy-8 a-methylestra-4-en-3-one; 17,8-acetoxy-17a-a1lyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one; 1713-acetoxy- 17a-ethynyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one; 17B-acetoxy-17a-cyclohexyl-8 a-methylestra-4-en-3-one; 17,6-acetoxy-17a-fluoroethynyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-3- one; 17fl-acetoxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-4-en-3-one,

respectively.

EXAMPLE 23 8a-methylestra-4-en-3 3,17,8-diol To a mixture containing 3 equivalents of lithium tritert-butoxyaluminum hydride in 50 ml. of ether, there is added dropwise 365 mg. of l7fi-hydroxy-8tx-methylestra- 4-en-3-one prepared as described in Step A of Example in 20 ml. of ether at 20 temperature. After 8 hours stirring, methanol is added followed by ice-Water extraction with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and upon evaporation yields 8a-methylestra-4-en-3B,17fl-dio1 recrystallized from ethanol.

When an equivalent amount of 17a-ethy1-17 3-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one; 17a-allyl-l7fi-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one; 17a-ethynyl-17p-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one; l7a-cyclohexyl- 17 fi-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one; l7a-fluoroethynyl-17fl-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3- one; or 17,3-hydroxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-4-en-3-one is used in place of 17B-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-3-one in the above process, there is obtained 17o -ethyl8a-methylestra-4-en-3fl, l7B-diol; 17a-allyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-3B,17fl-diol; 17a-ethynyl-8tx-methylestra-4 en-3fl,17,3-diol; 17a-cyclohexyl-8m-methylestra-4-en-3fl,17,8-diol; 17a-fluoroethynyl-8a-methy1-estra-4-en-3B,17/8-diol or 8u-methyll7a-propadienylestra-4-en-3p,1 713-diol, respectively.

Following the procedure of Example 9, but using an equivalent amount of 17wethyl-8a-rnethylestra-4-en-3B,17B-diol; 1Ta-allyl-8a-rnethylestra-4-en-3fl,17,3-diol;

17 a-ethynyl-8e-methy1estra-4-en-3 ,3, 17 8-dio1; 17a-cyclohexy1-8a-methylestra-4-en-3fi,17B-diol; 17a-fluoroethynyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-3fi,17fi-diol; or 17a-propadienylestra-4-en-3/3,17,B-diol is used in place of 17a-ethyl 8a-methylestra-l,3,5(10)- trien-3,17/i-diol used therein, there is obtained 3-acetoxy-17a-ethyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-17 3-01; 3-acetoxy-17a-a1lyl-8m-methylestra-4-en-1713-01; 3-acetoxy-17u-ethynyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-175-01; 3-acetoxy-17u-cyclohexyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-1713-01; 3-acetoxy17a-fluoroethynyl-8a-methylestra-4-en17,6-01

or 3-acetoxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-4-en-1718-01, respectively.

When an equivalent amount of 17,3-acetoxy- 1 7u-ethyl-8 a-methyIeStra-B 13-01 0 (Ji -CH: CH: j/\ 2 6 CH; HO-

To a mixture containing 3 equivalents of lithium tritert-butoxyaluminum hydride in 50 ml. of ether, there is added dropwise 365 mg. of 17fl-acetoxy-l7a-cthyl-8amethylestra-4-en-3-one prepared as described in Example 22 in 20 ml. of ether at 20 temperature. After 5 8 hours stirring, methanol is added followed by icewater extraction with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and upon evaporation yields 17,8-acetoxy-l7u-ethyl- 8e-methylestra-4-em3fl-ol recrystallized from ethanol.

When an equivalent amount of 17,8-acetoxy-8e-methylestra-4-en-3-one;

17fl-acetoxy-17u-aIlyl-Sa-methylestra-4-en-3-one;

l'IB-acetoxy-l7u-ethynyl-8a-methylestral-en-3-one;

17 fl-acetoxy-17a-cyclohexyl-Se-methyIestra-4-en-3-one;

17,8-acet0xy-17a-fluoroethynyl-8a-methylestra-4-en- 3-one or 17 fi-acetoxy-Sa-methyl-17oc-propadienylestra-4-ene 3-onc is used in place of 17B-acetoxy-17wethyl-8e-methylestra-4-en-3-one in the above process, there is obtained l7,8-acetoxy-8ot-methylestra-4-en-3 3-01; 175-acetoxy-17a-allyl-8u-metl1ylestra-4-en-3 5-01; 17B-acetoxy-17a-ethynyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-3fl-ol; 17,8-acetoxy-l7a-cyclohexyl-8 u-methylestra-4-en-3fi-ol; 17fi-fiuoroetl1ynyl-8a-methylestra-4-en-3p-ol or l7fl-acetoxy-tie-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-4-en-318-0l,

respectively.

EXAMPLE 25 3,5-hydroxy-8 e-methylestral-en-17-one :CH. H O

Step A: 8a-methyl-17-tetrahydrofurany1oxyestra-4-en-3-one To a mixture of 15 m1. of benzene, 3 m1. of dihydrofuran and 1.2 g. of phosphorus oxychloride there is added a benzene (3 ml.) solution of 17fi-hydroxy-8emethylestra-4-en-3-one (0.5 g.) prepared as described in Example 20 above. After 18 hours at room temperature, the mixture is poured over g. of ice containing 5 g. of sodium carbonate; the benzene layer is separated, washed and evaporated to give the product 8e-methyl 17 tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-4-en-3-one, which is then purified by recrystallization from ether.

Step B: Sfl-hydroxy-Se-methyl-l7-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestrw-ene To a mixture containing 3 equivalents of lithium tri-tertbutoxyaluminum hydride in 50 ml. of ether, there is added dropwise 365 mg. of the product from Step A in 20 ml. of ether at 20 temperature. After 8 hours stirring, methanol is added followed by ice-water and extraction with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and upon evaporation yields 3f3-hydroxy 8a methyl-l7-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestral en recrystallized from ethanol.

Step 0: 35-methoxy-8a-methyl-1Ttetrahydrofur-anyloxyestra-l-ene A solution of 3p-hydroxy- 8u-methyl-U-tetrahydmfuranyloxyestra-4-ene (350 mg.) in boiling tertiary butyl alcohol (20 mg.) is alternately treated with small portions of sodium tert-butoxide and methyl iodide until analytical thin layer chromatography indicates the disappearance of 28 starting material. Water is then added ml.) and the title product removed by filtration. It is purified by chromatography on alumina (Grade 3) using benzene as an eluent.

Step D: 3fi-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-lTB-ol A solution of 337 mg. of 3p-methoxy-8a-methyl-17- tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-4- ene in 14.85 ml. of 80% (v./ v.) aqueous acetic acid is kept at 25 for 6 hours. 30 ml. of water is added and the resultant 3 3-methoxy-8emethylestra-4-en-17fi-ol is recovered by benzene extraction and crystallization.

Step E: 3,6-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-17-one To a solution of 260 mg. of chromium trioxide in 8 ml. of pyridine, there is added 302 mg. of 3fi-methoxy 8e-methylestra-4-en-17,8-01. The mixture is stored 18 hours at room temperature, following which it is poured on ice water. The crude compound is then extracted with benzene. The extracts are combined and passed through a short column of alumina and the title compound 35- methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-17-one is recovered by evaporation.

Step 13: 3B-hydroxy-8a-methylestra--en-l'I-one An intimate mixture of 2 g. pyridine hydrochloride and 300 mg. of Bfi-methoxy-Sa-methylestra-4-en-17-one is heated at for 15 minutes. After cooling, water (20 ml.) is added and the product 3fi-hydroxy-M-methylestrw 4-en-l7-one is extracted with methylene chloride and recovered by evaporation.

0 g CH2 CH3 0 Step A: SB-acetcxy-Sa-methyl-l7-tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-at-ene A solution of 350 mg. of 3fi-hydroxy-8a-methyl-l7- tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-4-ene prepared as described in Step B of Example 25, and 1.2 g. of acetic anhydride in 10 ml. of pyridine is allowed to stand at 0 for 18 hours and then poured on ice-water whereupon the crystalline product 3j8-acetoxy-8u-methyl 17 tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-4-ene is filtered off and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate.

Step B: 3,6-acetoxy-Sa-metlrylestraA-en-lTB-o1 A solution of 337 mg. of 3fi-acetoxy-8a-methyl-l7- tetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-4-ene in 14.85 ml. of 80% (v./v.) aqueous acetic acid is kept at 25 for 6 hours. 30 ml. of water is added and the resultant 3B-acetoxy- 8uc-IllfithYlGStl'fl-4-Cl1-1713-01 is recovered by benzene extraction and crystallization.

Step C: 3B-acetoxy-8e-methylestra-4-en-l7one To a solution of 260 mg. of chromium trioxide in 8 ml. of pyridine, there is added 302 mg. of 3fl-acetoxy-8emethylestra-4-en-17 3-ol. The mixture is stored 18 hours at room temperature, following which it is poured on icewater. The crude compound is then extracted with benzene. The extracts are combined and passed through a short column of alumina and the product 3p-acetoxy-8umethylestra-4-en-l7-one is recovered by evaporation.

29 EXAMPLE 27 17a-ethyl-3B-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-176-01 OH CH3 L" zHs To a Grignard mixture prepared from 0.52 g. of magnesium and 2.1 ml. of ethyl bromide in 20 ml. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, there is added dropwise at 60 C. a solution of 425 mg. of 3fl-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4- en-l7-one in 8 ml. of tetrahydrofuran prepared as described in Step E of Example 25. Under nitrogen atmosphere, the mixture is refluxed for hours, then cooled, decomposed by the addition of ml. of saturated ammonium chloride solution and extracted with chloroform. The product 17u-ethyl-3B-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en- 176-01 is obtained by the evaporation of the dried and washed (H O) chloroform solution and is purified by recrystallization from ethanol.

When an equivalent amount of allyl bromide is substituted for ethyl bromide in the process of this example, there is obtained 17a-allyl-3,8-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4- en-l7B-ol.

EXAMPLE 28 17a-ethynyl-3,8-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-17,9-01

CHaO V To a mixture of 2.1 g. of lithium acetylide-ethylenediamine complex in 15 ml. of anhydrous dimethyl acetamide, there is added 825 mg. of 3fl-methoxy-8u-methylestra-4-en-17-one prepared as described in Step E of Example 25. After 2 hours at the mixture is poured onto 100 ml. of 2 N hydrochloric acid. The title product which separates as a solid, is removed by filtration and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate-hexane.

When an equivalent amount of cyclohexyl lithium is used in place of lithium acetylide in the process of this example, there is obtained 17u-cyclohexyl-iifi-methoxy- 8aemethylestra-4-en-173-01.

EXAMPLE 29 17a-fluoroethynyl-3/3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4en-l7fl-ol I CHI CHaO A solution of 8.5 grams of 1-chloro-2-fluoroethylene in 50 cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether is added dropwise with stirring, at 0 C. over a half hour period, to 15 cc. of a 1.4 N solution of methyl lithium in anhydrous diethyl ether, maintained under an inert nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture is then held at room temperature, with stirring, for an additional 90 minutes.

A solution of 0.5 gram of 3 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra- 4-en-17-one prepared as described in Step E of Example in 20 cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether is then added dropwise, with stirring, over a 15 minute period, following which the resulting reaction mixture is held at room temperature, with stirring, for 18 hours. Following this reaction period, the reaction mixture is poured into icewater and then extracted with diethyl ether. The combined ether extracts are washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and then concentrated under vacuum. Chromatography of the residue on basic alumina, using petroleum ether/diethyl ether (8:2, respectively, by volume) as the eluant, followed by crystallization from methanol, yields 17a-fluoroethynyl-3-methoxy- 8a-methylestra-4-en-175-01.

EXAMPLE 30 3fl-methoxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-4-en-175-01 Step A: 3B-methoxy8a-methyl-17a-dimethylam-inopropynylestra-4-en-17flol To a solution of 2 g. of lithium metal in 36 ml. of ethylene diamine, there is added dropwise 15 ml. of 3- dimethylamino propynyl. To the reagent thus obtained a solution of 3.2 g. of 3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-17- one prepared as described in Step E of Example 25 in 20 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise. After 3 hours at room temperature, the product 3 3-methoxy-8a-methyl- 17a dimethylaminopropynylestra-4-en-173-01 is isolated by quenching on ice-water and extracting with chloroform.

Step B: 3fl-methoxy-8a-methyl-1Ya-dimethylaminopropynylestra-4-en-1718-01 methlodide The crude title product of Step A is dissolved in 40 ml. of acetone and 6 ml. of methyl iodide is added. The crystals separated after 18 hours at 5 are filtered to give the product 35 methoxy-8tx-methyl-17vt-dimethylaminopropynylestra-4-en-17 8-01 methiodide.

Step C: 3B-methoxy-8a-methyl-17a-propadienylestra-4-en-l7B-o1 To a solution of 30' g. of the product of Step B, in ml. of absolute pyridine, there is added 0.5 g. of lithium aluminum hydride. After 20' minutes at room temperature, water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution are added and the mixture filtered from the separated alumina. The pyridine is stripped off in vacuo, and the residue take up in benzene and washed with water. After drying over sodium sulfate, the benzene solution is evaporated to give the 3B-methoxy-8a-methyl 17a propadienylestral-enl7fl-ol.

EXAMPLE 3 1 17 3-acetoxy-17a-ethyl-313-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-ene o 0 0 H3 CH3 i. O

1 g. of l7a-ethyl-3B-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-17B- ol prepared as described in Example 27, 1 g. of p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate, 50 ml. of acetic acid and 25 ml. acetic anhydride are allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is then poured into water and stirred until the excess acetic anhydride is hydrolyzed. The aqueous mixture is then extracted with methylene dichloride and the organic phase is separated, water washed, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under vacuum to obtain the product 1713-acetxy-17aethyl-3fi-methoxy-8u-methylestrat-eue as residue, which is then refined by crystallization from methanol.

When equivalent amounts of 3 fi-methoxy-8m-methylestra-4-en-175-01;

17a-allyl-3p-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-17,6-01;

17 a-ethynyl-3 B-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-17,6-01;

17a-cyclohexyl-3 ,B-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-en-175-01;

17a-fiuoroethynyl-3B-methoxy-8u-methylestra-4-en-17,8-

3 p-methoxy- 8a-methyl- 17 m-propadienylestra-4-en- 17 5-01 is used in place of 17ot-ethyl-3fi-methoxy-8u-methylestra- 4-en-17 ,8-01 in the above process, there is obtained 1 7,6-acetoxy-3fi-methoxy-8 u-methylestra-4-ene;

l7,8 acetoxy-17a-al1yl-3,6-methoxy-8m-methylestra-4-ene;

17fl-acetoxy-17a-ethynyl-3fi-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4- ene;

1 7 ,B-acetoxy- 1 7a-cyclohexyl-3p-methoxy-8a-methylestra- 4-ene;

17 fi-acetoxy-17a-fluoroethynyl-3 B-methoxy-8a-methylestra-4-ene or 17B-acetoXy-3 fl-methoxy-Sea-methyl-17et-propadienylestra- 4-ene, respectively.

EXAMPLE 32 ISB-ethyl-S -methoxy-8a-methylgona- 1,3 ,5 10) trien-17-one H: CHaO Following the procedure of Steps A, B, C, D, E, F and G of Example 1, but using an equivalent amount of 13- ethyl-17-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxygona-l ,3,5 10) ,d-tetraene in place of the 17-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5 (10) fi-tetraene used therein, there is obtained 13fi-ethyl- 3-methoxy-8a-methylgona-1,3,5 10)-trien-17-one.

EXAMPLE 33 13 B-ethyl-8a-methyl- 17B-hydroxy-17m-propadienylgona- 5(10)-en-3-one H5 2 OH CHa 0 Step A: 1313-ethyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylgona- 2,5(10)-dlen-175-o1 Following the procedure of Step A of Example 13, but using an equivalent amount of 13-ethyl-3-methoxy-8mmethylgona-1,3,5 (10)-trieu-17-oue in place of the 3-methoxy-8u-methylestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17fi-ol used therein, there is obtained 13-ethyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylgona-2,5 (10)-dien-17fi-ol.

Step B: 13B-ethyl-3-methoxy-8a-methylgona- 2,5 (10 -dieu-17B-oue Following the procedure of Step G of Example 1, but replacing the 3-rnethoxy-8u-methy1estra-1,3,5(10)-trien- 17fl-o1 used therein with 13,8-ethyl-3-methoxy-8rat-methylgona-2,5(10)-dien-17fl-ol, there is obtained 13/3-ethy1-3- methoxy-8u-methylgona-2,5 10) -dien- 17,6-one.

EXAMPLE 34 mo, i

(Yjcndhcm Following the procedure of Method A of Example 20, but using an equivalent amount of 13,8-ethyl-8a-methyl- 17 B hydroxy 17a propadienylgona-5(10)-en-3-0ne in place of the 17fl-hydroxy-8a-methylestra-5(10)-en-3-one used therein, there is obtained l3p-ethyl-8a-methyl-l7fihydroxy-l7a-propadienylgona-4-en-3-0ne.

EXAMPLE 35 3 l 7p-ditetrahydrofuranyloxy-dicyclo [6,7 21,7 ,8] -B- homoestr'a-1,3,5 10) -triene Step A 3,1YB-dttetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-1,3,5 (10),6-tetraene To a mixture of m1. of benzene, 30 ml. of dihydrotturan and 12 g. of phosphorus oxychloride there is added a benzene (30 ml.) solution of estra-1,3,5(l0),6- te-traene-3,17p-diol(10 g.). After 18 hours at room temperature, the mixture is poured over 50 g. of ice containing 5 g. of sodium carbonate; the benzene layer is separated, Washed and evaporated to give the product 3,17 8- ditetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-1,3,5 (10),6-tetraene which is then purified by recrystallization from ether.

Step B 3,17 fl-ditetrafuranyloxy-dieyclo [6,721/7,81-

B-homoestra-1,3,5 (10)-triene Following the procedures of Step A and B of Example 1, but using an equivalent amount of 3,17B-ditetrahydrofurauyloxyestra-13,5(10),6-tetraene in place of the 17-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxyestna 1,3,5 10),6 tetraene used in Step A, there is obtained 3,17B-ditetrahydrofuranyloxy-dicyclo[6,7a,7,8]-B homoestra 1,3,5(10)- triene.

When 3,17fl-ditetrahydrofuranyloxy-dicyclo[6,7a,7,8]- B-homoestra-1,3,5(10)-triene is substituted for the 17- ethylenedioxy-3-methoxy-dicyclo[6,7a,7,8]-B homoestra- 1,3,5 (10)-triene used in Step C of Example 1, there is obtained 3,17fi-ditetrahydrofuranyloxy-8ot-methylestra 1,3,5 (10},6-tetraene.

Following the procedures of Steps D, E and F of Example 1, but using an equivalent amount of 3,17B-ditetrahydrofuranyloxy-8u-methylestra-1,3,5(10),6 tetraene in place of the 17-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxy-8u-methylestra- 1,3,5 (l),6-tetraene used in Step D, there is obtained 80:- methylestra-1,3,5 10) -trien-3, 17 B-diol.

When an equivalent amount of 8a-methylestra-1,3,5 (l0)-trien-3,l7B-diol is used in place of 17a-ethyl-8amethylestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3,17,8-diol in the process of Step A of Example 8, there is obtained 3,17,8-diacetoxy- 8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10)-triene.

EXAMPLE 36 17a-ethyl3 17B-ditetrahydropyranyloxy-dicyclo 6,7a, 7,8] -B-homoestra- 1,3 ,5 10) -triene 0 CH3 1 Cam To a Grignard mixture prepared from 25 g. of magnesium and 100 ml. of ethyl bromide in 500 ml. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, there is added dropwise at 60, a solution of 20 g. of 3-hydroxyestra-1,3,5(10),6-tetraene- 17-oue in 18 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. Under nitrogen atomsphere, the mixture is refluxed for 5 hours, then cooled, decomposed with the addition of 400 ml. of saturated ammonium chloride solution and extracted with chloroform. The product 17a'-ethyl-estra-1,3,5(10),6 tetraene-3,17fl-diol is obtained on the evaporation of the dried and washed (H O) chloroform solution and is purified by recrystallization from ethanol.

Step B: 17a-ethyl-3,17B-ditetrahydropyranyloxyestra-1,3,5 ,G-tetraene To a mixture of 150 ml. of benzene, 30 ml. of dihydrofuran and 12 g. of phosphorus oxychloride there is added a benzene (30 ml.) solution of 17a-ethyl-estra-1,3,5(10),6- tetraene3,17,8-diol (10 g.). After 18 hours at room temperature, the mixture is poured over 50 g. of ice containing 5 g. of sodium carbonate; the benzene layer is separated, washed and evaporated to give the product 170:- ethyl-3,l7[3 ditetrahydropyranyloxyestra 1,3,5(10),6- tetraene which is then purified by recrystallization from ether.

Step C: 17a-ethyl3,1'Ifl-ditetrahydropyranyloxy-dicyclo [6,7a,7,8]-B-homoestra-1,3,5(10)-triene Following the procedures of Step A and B of Example 1, but using an equivalent amount of l7u-ethyl-3,l7/3- ditetrahydropyranyloxyestra-1,3,5 (10),6-tetraene in place of the 17-ethylenedioxy-3 methoxyestra 1,3,5 (10),6- tetraene used in Step A, there is obtained 17a-ethyl-3,17 8- ditetrahydropyranyloxy-dicyclo[6,7a,7,8]-B homoestral,3,5(lO)-triene.

When l7aethyl-3,17,6-ditetrahydropyranyloxy dicyclo [6,7a,7,8]-B-homoestra-l,3,5(10)-triene is substituted for the 17-ethylenedioxy-3 methoxy-dicyclo[6,7a,7,8] B- homoestra-1,3,5(10)-triene used in Step C of Example 1, there is obtained 17a-ethyl-3,1718-ditetrahydropyranyloxy- 8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10),6-tetraene.

Following the procedures of Steps D, E, and F of Example 1, but using an equivalent amount of 17u-ethyl- 3,17 3-ditetrahydropyranyloxy-8a-methylestra 1,3,5 (10), 6-tetraene in place of the 17-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxy-8a methylestra-1,3,5(10),6-tetraene used in Step D, there is obtained 17a-ethyl-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 (10)-trien-3,17;3- diol.

34 EXAMPLE 37 17a-cyclohexyl-3 17B-ditetrahydrofuranyloxy-dicyclo [6,7a,7,8]-B-homoestra-1,3,5(10)-triene Step A 17a-cyclohexyl-estra-1,3,5(10),6-tetraene-3,17B-diol To a mixture of 25 g. of cyclohexyl lithium-ethylenediamine complex in ml. of anhydrous dimethyl acetamide,- there is added 15 g. of 3-hydroxy-estra-1,3,5 l0),6- tetraene-17-one. After 2 hours at 20, the mixture is poured onto 1000 m1. of 2 N hydrochloric acid. The product l7a-cyclohexylestra-l,3,5(10),6-tetraene 3,173 diol which separates as a solid, is removed by filtration and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate-hexane.

Step B: 17a-cyclohexyl-3,17fi-ditetrahydrofur-anyloxyestra-1,3,5 (10) ,Stetraene To a mixture of 150 ml. of benzene, 30 ml. of dihydrofuran and 12 g. of phosphorus oxychloride there is added a benzene (30 ml.) solution of 17a-cyclohexyl-estra- 1,3,5 10),6-tetraene-3,17;3-diol(10 g.). After 18 hours at room temperature, the mixture is poured over 50 g. of ice containing 5 g. of sodium carbonate; the benzene layer .is separated, washed and evaporated to give the product 17a-cyclohexyl 3,175 ditetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-1,3,5(1-0),6-tetraene which is then purified by recrystallization from ether.

7 Step C: 17a-cyclohexy-3,175-ditetrahydrofuranyloxydicyclo- [6,7 21,7 ,8] -B-homoestra-1,3,5 (10 -triene Following the procedures of Steps A and B of Example 1, but using an equivalent amount of 17a-cyc1oh'exyl- 3, 17,8-ditetrahydrofuranyloxyestra-1,3,5 10 ,G-tetraene in place of the 17-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5('10),6- tetraene used in Step A, there is obtained 17 oc-CYClOhGXYl- 3,17 3 ditetrahydrofuranyloxy dicyclo [-6,7a,7,8] B- homoestra-1,3,5 10)-triene.

When 17oz cycloh'exyl 3,175 ditetrahydrofuranyloxy dicyclo [-6,7a,7,8] B-homoestra 1,3,5(l0) triene is substituted for the 17 ethylene 3 methoxy-dicyclo- [6,7a,7,8]-B-homoestra-1,3,5(10)-t1iene used in Step C of Example *1, there is obtained 17 a-cyclohexy1-3,17B- ditetrahydrofuranyloxy 8a methylestra 1,3,5(10),6- tetraene.

Following the procedures of Steps D, E, and F of Example 1, but using an equivalent amount of 17a-CYC10- hexyl 3,175 ditetrahydrofuranyloxy 8a methylestra- 1,3,5(10),6-tetraene in place of the 17-ethylenedioxy-3 methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5 (10), 6-tetraene used in Step D, there is obtained 17oz cyclohexyl 8a methylestra- 1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17B-diol.

What is claimed is:

1. A compound of the formula where R is alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; Y is the function wherein R is a Hydrogen atom or acyl having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and Q is propadienyl; and Ring A is a member of the group consisting of the A structures:

3 g R =O or 0Q wherein R is a hydrogen atom, alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or acyl having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and R is 0x0 or the group wherein R is alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, tetrahydrofuran-Z-yl, or tetrahyropyran-Z-yl; and R is ethylenedioxy, or

Lugs

wherein R is tetrahydropyran-Z-yl or tetrahydrofuran-Z-yl; and R is a hydrogen atom, alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or cycloalkyl having from 5 to 7 ring carbon atoms, which comprises reacting a compound of the formula wherein each of R, R and R is as defined above; and

each of Z and Z" is independently halo having an atomic weight of from 35 to with an alkyl-lithiurn having from -1 to -6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, in an aprotic inert solvent at a temperature of from about -60 to about +30 C.

7. A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula Rb R H wherein R, R and R are as defined in claim 6, which comprises reacting a compound of the formula Rb R with hydrogen in the presence of a palladium catalyst on an inert carrier under hydrogenation conditions.

8. A process for preparing a compound of the formula wherein R, R and R are as defined in claim 6 which comprises reacting a compound of the formula Rb R with hydrogen in an inert aprotic solvent in the presence of a palladium. catalyst at a temperature of from about -20 to 30 C. and at a pressure of about 1 atmosphere.

9. A compound of the formula wherein R, R and R are as defined in c aim 6 37 10. A compound of the formula where R, R, R is as defined in claim 9.

11. The compound of claim 10 which is 17-ethylenedioxy-3-methoxy-8a-methylestra-1,3,5(10),6-tetraene.

dioxy 3 methoxy-dicycl0[6,7a,7,8] B homoestra-1,3, 5'( 10) -triene.

References Cited 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,382,258 5/1968 Diassi et a1. 260-3973 3,551,459 12/1970 Hughes et a1. 260-397.4

3,541,210 11/1970 Galantay.

ELBERT L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X-R- 

